Luctonians 20 pts Hereford 3.

LUCTONIANS carried off the North Midlands Cup for a third time with a comfortable victory over county rivals Hereford at Stourbridge’s Stourton Park.

The Kingsland-based side overcame stern resistance from a depleted Hereford, who had 10 first-team players in Antwerp on an end-of-season tour.

Tries from New Zealander Cameron Hewitt and lock Darren Brick helped higher-graded Luctonians to secure the trophy for the third time in four years.

Unfortunately, last Sunday’s match struggled to live up to its billing as the first all-Herefordshire county final.

Perhaps the scorching weather conditions and a long, hard league season for both clubs, in which they lost in the play-offs, were to blame for a low-key affair.

Chris James opened the scoring with a penalty for Luctonians after 10 minutes but Hereford responded strongly.

A powerful burst from Nat Thomas was halted just short of the Luctonians line in the 26th minute.

Hereford, however, deservedly drew level from a Simeon Mifflin penalty four minutes later after Luctonians scrum-half Chris James was yellow-carded for killing the ball.

Luctonians regained the lead four minutes later after Kieram Hallam was penalised for failing to roll away after a quick break featuring Hewitt and Alex Smith.

With Chris James off the field, Andy Garrod successfully kicked the penalty.

Luctonians, crucially, extended their advantage with the first try in the 37th minute.

Hereford failed to clear their lines and, after a scrappy passage of play, Hewitt crashed over after a slick passing move involving Alex James and Smith.

Garrod added the conversion to give Luctonians a 13-3 advantage at the turnaround.

Luctonians had a great opportunity to go further ahead in the 49th minute from a driving maul but Nick Byron dropped the ball when he was well positioned.

Luctonians should have extended their lead in the 64th minute but Chris James missed a penalty attempt after Mifflin was penalised for diving over the top.

Hereford, who won the North Midlands Cup in 1988, 1990 and 1992, showed glimpses of getting back into the match.

A darting run from scrum-half Ollie Frost and a couple of well-placed clearance kicks from Hallam were among Hereford’s attacking highlights in the second period.

But, in truth, the spirited Wyesiders never really looked like piercing the Luctonians defence in the second half.

Luctonians made a high number of handling errors but had the final word deep into stoppage time.

Brick finally broke Hereford’s stubborn second-half resistance when he crashed over for Luctonians’ second try and Garrod added the simple conversion.